To Criticize vs Criticizing Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To criticize (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to criticize" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

I refuse to criticize others without knowing the full story.

Criticizing (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "criticizing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Criticizing others constantly can create a negative environment.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To criticize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To criticize is easy, but offering constructive feedback is much harder.

  To criticize is easy, but offering constructive feedback is much harder.

  • "*To criticize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (easy).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to criticize her performance.

  She wants me to criticize her performance.

  • "Me *to criticize* her performance" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to criticize* her performance).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a reason to criticize his work.

  I need a reason to criticize his work.

  • "*To criticize* his work" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reason *to criticize* his work).

Criticizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Criticizing constructive feedback is essential for personal growth.

  Criticizing constructive feedback is essential for personal growth.

  • "*Criticizing* constructive feedback" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for personal growth).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy criticizing movies with my friends.

  I enjoy criticizing movies with my friends.

  • "*Criticizing* movies with my friends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*criticizing* movies with my friends).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a habit of criticizing others without considering their feelings.

  He has a habit of criticizing others without considering their feelings.

  • "Of *criticizing* others without considering their feelings" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *criticizing* others without considering their feelings).

Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects

The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.

Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects

• decide
• attempt
• pretend
• manage
• struggle

Example

We decided to criticize the new policy during the meeting.

He attempted to criticize the book, but couldn't find any faults.

They pretend to criticize each other's cooking skills, but they actually enjoy it.

She managed to criticize his performance without being too harsh.

I struggle to criticize my friends' choices without sounding judgmental.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• mind
• consider
• resist

Example

She avoids criticizing her colleagues in public.

Experts recommend criticizing constructively to promote growth.

Do you mind criticizing my work and providing suggestions?

They consider criticizing a form of personal expression.

He resists criticizing others and focuses on self-improvement.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to criticize movies that have weak plots. I like criticizing movies that have weak plots.

We started to criticize each other's writing styles. We started criticizing each other's writing styles.

He began to criticize their decisions openly. He began criticizing their decisions openly.